Student Projects: Brownfields Redevelopment

Background

After completing an in-depth unit on brownfields redevelopment, high school students in Indiana developed the following projects to redevelop abandoned commercial properties in their communities. Student names have been changed.

The brownfields unit is part of Creative Change's Our Town curriculum portfolio. This course-length module brings students through a process of identifying brownfield sites in their communities, investigating contamination and redevelopment issues, and developing reuse plans in partnership with local stakeholders. The unit thus mirrors the same process used by engineers, public health officials, economists and policymakers-just a few of the professions involved in the international brownfields redevelopment field.

This module was first created by Purdue University in 2004, then revised in partnership with Creative Change in 2007, who now manages the program.

Site History and Redevelopment Plans

From abandoned gas station to green travel center and community recycling facility

• Site history: In this written report, students compile a background on an abandoned gas station, including an overview of toxins present, environmental test data, and several aerial photos. (PDF)

• Redevelopment plan: After studying the site's redevelopment potential, the students developed ideas for converting the gas station into a welcome center for travelers featuring biofuels, and a recycling center for the larger community. (PPT)

From contaminated plating facility to community center

• The site history report focuses on an old plating factory, and includes an overview of toxins presents and EPA clean-ups. (PDF)

• The redevelopment plan proposes several re-uses of the site, including a community center and emergency storm shelter. (PPT)

From abandoned gas station to farmer's market and community service center

• Site history: This site history includes an overview of underground storage tanks and related contamination on this site. (PDF)

• Redevelopment plan: After studying the site's redevelopment potential, the students developed ideas for converting the gas station into a farmer's market, designated driving center, or running store. (PPT)

Additional Reports:

• This report document provides a summary of a Philadelphia high school's experience in the Our Town program. (DOC)